Drain cleaning device



J. W. HARDER DRAIN CLEANING DEVICE Filed June 11, 1934 Silente/1,

Patented May 5, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT 'OFFICE two-fifths to Philip H. Marsh,

Iowa

Sioux City,

Application June 11, 1934, Serial No. '729,953

2 Claims.

My invention relates to a device to be used for cleaning out obstructed drains and the like.

An object of my invention is to provide a device of this character which will not completely necessitate the use of suction means so that the same can be applied to the drain more conveniently.

A further object of my invention is to provide associated with the device, means for retaining the same on to the drain with a positive gripso that it will not slip out of place during the cleaning operation.

A further object of my invention is to provide means for applying a positive water pressure directly to the obstructing medium in the drain so that the same will be cleaned effectively.

A further object of. my invention is to provide means for applying the device to lavatory bowls in a manner which will eliminate all objectionable or obnoxious features.

A further object of my invention is to provide adjustable attaching means for the device to a standard faucet or other outlet.

A further object of my invention is to provide all of the above mentioned means in a structure involving as few parts as possible, and which can be manufactured at a very reasonable cost.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the various parts of my device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is a sectional view of the cup members taken diametrically thereof.

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the means for attaching to the faucet.

Figure 3 shows the device in use on a standard sink.

Figure 4 is a view of the means for attaching to a faucet having a threaded end.

Figure 5 is a view of a modification of the device and being used in a lavatory bowl.

Figure 6 is a view of the pipe used in connection with the end cup, and

Figure 7 is a modified form of the device.

The usual plunger type of drain cleaning device utilizes the feature of forming a vacuum above the drain or within the drain so that the atmospheric pressure will force the obstruction away. This type of cleaner necessitates the pumping action of the plunger and sometimes this operation must be continued several times before the cleaning takes place.

The principal object of my invention is to eliminate this feature and to provide a cleaning device which will fit over the drain and will'allow the injection of water under a standard pressure directly through the drain so that the flow of water will be restricted to the drain and can'- not fiow outwardly in any way. In this way, the Water will transmit its entire force or pressure to the drain directly and clean out the obstructions.

To achieve this result, I use the rubber member Il) which includes the outer cup shaped member Il and the inner cup member l2. Formed integrally with the member I2 is the projecting nozzle I3 and the upwardly projecting cylindrical portion I4 which includes the moulded threads I5. It will now be seen that-the entire member I0 is moulded from one piece of rubber only and that all of the cups, nozzles and the like are integrally formed. The rubber, of course, is any suitable grade having satisfactory resiliency and the like. l

Attached to the portion I4 is the rubber tube I6 the bottom of which is firmly fixed to the metal member I1 which includes the shoulder I8 and the threaded portion I9. When the metal member I1 is screwed into the rubber threads I5, the gasket 20 will be compressed making the device water tight.

The tube I6 is usually about two feet in length but, of course, can be supplied in longer .lengths when necessary.

The upper end of the tube I6 (see Figure 2) is attached to the metal member 2| which includes the gasket 22 which is adapted to snugly fit over the faucet outlet 23.

In use, as shown clearly in Figure 3 and in a more detailed manner in Figure 1, the member I0 is placed over the drainplate 24 of the sink 25 and forced downwardly :and then released. This operation creates a vacuum in the chamber 26 between the cups I I and I2. The effect of the Vacuum created in this maner is to retain the end of the device firmly against the outer surface of the sink surrounding the drain. The faucet is then opened practically to its widest extent allowing a rush of. water to pass through the tube I6, down through the nozzle in the direction of the arrows 21 and thence directly downwardly into the drain where the pressure and rapidity of flow of the water will force the obstructions along through the drain pipe.

The nozzle I3 has the effect of concentrating the flow of water in a more direct manner downwardly. It will be noted that the cup shaped members Il and l2 include the flared anges 28 and 29 toinsure positive gripping action against the sink.

For connecting the upper end of the tube to a faucet which includes threads at the orice end, I provide the metal member 30 which includes the shoulder 3l adapted to bear against the gasket 32. The threaded member 33 carries the member 30 against the gasket when the same is screwed upon the threads 34 on the faucet. The member 30 is readily interchangeable with the member 2| so that the type of connection can be changed to suit the conditions encountered.l

A modified form of the device is shown in Figure' and is usable especially in that case where Vit is necessary to clean out a toilet bowl such as Y 35. YIn this case, theend unit IIJ functions in exactly the same manner but instead of running the tube I6 directly to the unit I0', I employ the pipe 36. The pipe 36 includesthe Athreaded end 31 and the shoulder` 38 which screwsV into the rubber threads I5 and the tube I6 is slipped over the reduced diameter portion 39.

It will be seen from this construction that the cup members can be forced downwardly by grasping the upper end of the pipe 36 and in this Way the hands will not come into contact with the dirty water in the bowl so that the objectionable feature will be dispensed with. For use for this modification, the tube I6 can be supplied with a greater length so it can be attached to theV faucet 40 which is in the same room and Which usually is at a little distance from the drain to be cleaned.

Figure '1 shows aV plan view of a modied form of the cup member which functions somewhat similarly to thatrform shown in Figure 1, but which includes the integrally moulded pockets 4| and 42 which are located opposite each other. The rest of the device, ofcourse, follows the Ysame construction-throughout with this exception. In this form of device, when the cup is pressed downwardly, vacuums will be formed in the pockets 4l and 42 and that unit will then be held firmly against the drain plate and the water pass through in the usual manner.

It Will now be seen that I have provided a drain cleaning device which'can be readily applied, it is positive in action and will provide a maximum amount of water under pressure to a drain tobe cleaned. Y

It will be seen further that have provided means for maintaining the cleaning device in a xed position with adjustable means for attachment to any type of standard faucet.

It will be seen further that I have provided means for projecting the grasping means for applying the cleaner in any drain having uncleanY or obnoxious characteristics above the level of the drain so that the cleaner can be effectively applied without fear of soiling the hands, etc.

It will also be seen that I have provided a device of this character formed of a of parts which will not get out o-f order and which device can be manufactured at a reasonable cost.

Some changes may be made in the construction Y and arrangement of the parts of my invention without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims any modied forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which can be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim as my invention: l

1. A drain cleaning device comprising an outer rubber cup adapted to fit about the surface adjacent a drain, an inner rubber cup formed integrally with the outer cup, a downwardly projecting nozzle passing through both cups and projecting substantially from the inner cup thereof, said nozzle being formed integrally with both cups, means Yfor passing water from an outlet to the inner cup including a ilexible tube communieating with said nozzle, and means for attaching the tube to a standard faucet.

2. A drain cleaning device comprising an outer rubber cup adapted to nt about the. surface adi.

said nozzle being formed integrallyv with both L cups, a rigid pipe attached to and adapted to comniunicate with the said inner cup, means forpassv ing water from an outlet to the inner cupv including a flexible tube attached to and communicating with the upper end of said-rigid pipe, and means for attaching the.l said tube to a standard faucet.

JOSEPH W. HARDER. 

